Dumb question from the FNG

As I touched on in my intro there's a lot about kayaks I don't know... Like all of it... I'm looking towards kayaks to fish out of PC since my dad is talking about seeking the dory. I've spent my life running a dory out of PC so understanding the ocean or catching fishing isn't what I'm worried about my questions are specifically about kayak designs and features.

1) what features are necessary in looking for a salt water yak to launch through the surf? What's the make and model you use and why?

2) is a pedal system worth it? Do you like the prop or the mirage and why? Would just a paddle suffice? Is hobie the only option for a drive system?

3) I plan to target mostly rockfish, ling, and halibut. Salmon aren't a priority to me. what is your preferred method to land large strong toothy fish from a kayak? We've always used a combination of spearguns, gaffs and hand guns but I don't see that as a viable option from a kayak. But I could be wrong, what do you use and why?

4) I've been advised to go to the demo in Portland this weekend but I can't make it, how often are these events held and is there a magic list somewhere that has them all. Any between Salem and PC.

5) would it be foolish to blindly buy a cheap one (like from Costco) and use it for a couple years before investing the big bucks on one?

6) a lot of my searches keep turning up prowlers and hobies what are some more intro level kayaks to consider.

If you've read this far I appreciate your interest and I'm sorry if I have annoyed you with my ignorance 

I started a couple years ago with a cheap ($150) used sit on top kayak.  I wanted to start cheap and make sure I liked it.

For fishing PC there is not a huge advantage to having peddle drive.  The biggest thing it does is help counter the wind or current.  When I am looking at kayaks I look at the load rating.  Usually the higher load rated kayak will be more stable

So now a couple years later I have a second paddle kayak, a Hobie Revo and a Hobie Outback.

keep an eye on the forum.  People often post when there is a small surf that they plan to go.  Maybe you could join myself or others.

As I touched on in my intro there's a lot about kayaks I don't know... Like all of it... I'm looking towards kayaks to fish out of PC since my dad is talking about seeking the dory. I've spent my life running a dory out of PC so understanding the ocean or catching fishing isn't what I'm worried about my questions are specifically about kayak designs and features.

1) what features are necessary in looking for a salt water yak to launch through the surf? What's the make and model you use and why?

I personallly fish the Hobie Revolution 11'.  It's the max length/weight that I could lift by myself to rack it on my vehicles.  I never even demo'd the boat before I bought a hobie mirage - I knew I wanted both hands free and use the power of my legs instead of weaker upper body.  I've only salt water launched once in very small surf and it was easy.  Wide enough to be stable and I can brace with a paddle to keep myself balanced. In bigger surf, I might want a longer boat, but I think I'll just work on building surf skills and practice in waves.

2) is a pedal system worth it? Do you like the prop or the mirage and why? Would just a paddle suffice? Is hobie the only option for a drive system?
Yes a pedal system was worth it to me.  I like the mirage - easy to propel with low fatigue.  Sure just a paddle kayak would work too, but on a Hobie I can always grab my paddle if I want to use my arms, and if you're in a kayak that doesn't have a drive, it's awfully difficult to use your legs.  Native Propel is also another drive style kayak. I have no experience with those, other people on the forum do.

3) I plan to target mostly rockfish, ling, and halibut. Salmon aren't a priority to me. what is your preferred method to land large strong toothy fish from a kayak? We've always used a combination of spearguns, gaffs and hand guns but I don't see that as a viable option from a kayak. But I could be wrong, what do you use and why? 
Gaff, Net, Harpoon, Lip Grips for smaller fish.  Nice to have a bat to subdue the fish, and good aim so you don't hit your knees or other important equipment on your kayak.  Just keep balance in mind when landing bigger fish - I don't want to get off balance and fall over.

4) I've been advised to go to the demo in Portland this weekend but I can't make it, how often are these events held and is there a magic list somewhere that has them all. Any between Salem and PC.
None that I know of. Craig offerred and I will too...i'd provide an extra hobie for you to try out of PC if you'll share some local halibut holes that you can reach under human power!  It's nice to try kayaks out on calm lakes or rivers and be sure that you have a feel for the safety/recovery aspect of handling yourself in a kayak.  You'll need immersion wear (I prefer a drysuit) for the cold water of the ocean, a VHF is nearly essential for ocean trips, so there are some additional expenses beyond just the kayak.

5) would it be foolish to blindly buy a cheap one (like from Costco) and use it for a couple years before investing the big bucks on one?
Yes, in my opinion, I think you'd be wasting money buying a cheap SOT from Costco. Better value in buying a used kayak.  There's an Ocean Kayak Trident on sale on the forum now.  Recently, there have been quite a few Hobie Revolutions and Hobie Outbacks with the older style seat for sale (people are upgrading to the newer larger lawn chair style seat), so watch for used kayaks often posted here.

6) a lot of my searches keep turning up prowlers and hobies what are some more intro level kayaks to consider.
Browse on some posts here and look at what people are fishing from.  If you like targeting halibut, search halibut and look at the kayaks being used  and the waters being fished.  If you like big lings and rockfish, do a search with those parameters.  Lots of people show photos of their kayak. Also use the private messaging feature if you read about someone's fishing adventure and want to know more about their kayak.  KyleM recently caught a Lingzilla out of Pacific City...search for that and check out Kyle's kayak.

I don't know if anyone has the answer to this but I was curious if anyone hunted out of their kayak also is there one kayak that could do both? I'm not much of a fowler but I might be if I had better access to sloughs and could haul a load of decoys... I've canoed the Santiam and willamette in chest waders for deer but would it work from a kayak?

I don't know if anyone has the answer to this but I was curious if anyone hunted out of their kayak also is there one kayak that could do both? I'm not much of a fowler but I might be if I had better access to sloughs and could haul a load of decoys... I've canoed the Santiam and willamette for deer but wouldn't work from a kayak?

THere's a whole sub-forum called Yak Hunting.   Go to the top of the page, click Forum, then go almost to the last topic.  Yak Hunting.  Some fantastic adventures are shared here!

Duh FNG....

Thanks

Duh FNG....

Here's how I discovered the Yak Hunting subforum...http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=16586.0

Says I'm not authorized?!?!?

1) what features are necessary in looking for a salt water yak to launch through the surf? What's the make and model you use and why?

You can reasonably surf launch most of the popular fishing kayaks with sufficient practice.  How big are you?  I've launched wilderness systems, hobie revolutions, emotion mojos, Ocean kayak prowlers, and a malibu x factor before.  This isn't something I'd spend a lot of time worrying about but if you have the option to rent and/or demo in the surf, do it.

2) is a pedal system worth it? Do you like the prop or the mirage and why? Would just a paddle suffice? Is hobie the only option for a drive system?

That's going to come down to personal preference and your wallet.  I fished several years with a paddle kayak before getting a hobie last year.  If you are like a lot of us you will end up with more than one kayak.  I can't speak to the slayer propel as I've never sat in one.

3) I plan to target mostly rockfish, ling, and halibut. Salmon aren't a priority to me. what is your preferred method to land large strong toothy fish from a kayak? We've always used a combination of spearguns, gaffs and hand guns but I don't see that as a viable option from a kayak. But I could be wrong, what do you use and why?

I use a combination of boga grips, gaff, and dispatch with a bat or perform ike jime. 

4) I've been advised to go to the demo in Portland this weekend but I can't make it, how often are these events held and is there a magic list somewhere that has them all. Any between Salem and PC.

No idea, but if you head south a ways I could help you out...

5) would it be foolish to blindly buy a cheap one (like from Costco) and use it for a couple years before investing the big bucks on one?

There isn't much reason to do that, least of all to try to save money.  Used kayaks hold their value fairly well for the most part.  It is likely cheaper to buy a decent used boat from the forums than to buy a cheap big box kayak once you factor in the resale value.

6) a lot of my searches keep turning up prowlers and hobies what are some more intro level kayaks to consider.

Check out people's fishing reports and look at what boats people are using.  Out yesterday I say hobies, old town predators, emotion mojos, Feelfree mokens, wilderness system threshers,  cobra fish and dives, malibu x-factors, ocean kayak prowlers, and probably some others.  Jackson big tuna and santa cruz raptors are other boats to look at.  Then the glass boats like stealth pro fishas or evolutions - but glass boats probably aren't entry level kayaks.  I really want one though, so I mention it.

1) Sit on top kayak. Don't take a SINK to the surf.

2) Depends on your ability to paddle. I switched to a pedal yak  because both my shoulders have arthritis and also tears.

Even without that, I can pedal way faster and longer than I can paddle, so it gives me more margin of error from current or wind.

3) Fish gripper, bonk it. I dunno about a halibut, I think it is gaff/harpoon time then.

4) Next Adventure has their event. Alder Creek does one as well but already happened  I think. AC don't carry Hobie. I would call stores that carry the yaks you are interested in and ask about demo opportunities. It doesn't have to be an event.

The nearest Native dealer is up in Tacoma, if you are thinking a Propel drive. I don't have any experience with them and havent heard any experiences, good or bad. I have bought from NA and Kayak Shed, happy with both experiences.

5) Not necessarily. The emotion boat at Costco is a lot of boat for the money, and if you settle in on paddling is a decent first kayak and not at all a throw-away.

6) My first boat was a Predator MX. Very stable, good feature set. Bit if a barge to paddle but by no means the worst of the barges. Being new to kayaking (and even to being on the water, really) I placed a higher premium on stability than speed. I am so far keeping it as a backup/loaner but may part with it at some point.

My new ride is an Outback. Same stability and about the same dimensions as my Predator, but with the Mirage drive.

I know several who paddle Tarpon 120's and those are fine boats as well.

But I think you will find more Revos and Outbacks than anything else.




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You're already getting good answers, but you're asking the same questions I asked, so I'll jump in too.

1) what features are necessary in looking for a salt water yak to launch through the surf? What's the make and model you use and why?

That it floats.  My granddaughters can launch an 8-foot Sun Dolphin Bali sit-on-top in three-foot surf, turn and surf it back in.  It's technique, not the boat, and -like me- you're over-thinking this one.

2) is a pedal system worth it? Do you like the prop or the mirage and why? Would just a paddle suffice? Is hobie the only option for a drive system?

Yes, pedal drive is worth it, but a paddle will work and lots of folks prefer paddling over pedaling.  I have a Hobie Revolution and a Wilderness Systems Tarpon.  They each have their pros and cons.  The pedal drive system takes up valuable deck space, but I can travel further using my legs, can troll more easily, and can hold position more easily.  With a paddle, I'm more maneuverable, but it's hard to control my position when I have a rod in my hand, I have more deck space, but the paddle is one more thing I have to keep track of.  I started with the Tarpon and it was a surprise how much of a difference these seemingly little things make when I jumped in the Hobie.

The fins on the Hobie Mirage drive seem better suited to launching from the beach, in my completely ignorant opinion, never having seen a Propel do a surf launch.

3) I plan to target mostly rockfish, ling, and halibut. Salmon aren't a priority to me. what is your preferred method to land large strong toothy fish from a kayak? We've always used a combination of spearguns, gaffs and hand guns but I don't see that as a viable option from a kayak. But I could be wrong, what do you use and why?

Got no answer for this one.  Haven't had to try landing a big, strong fish of any type from a kayak (Snif, snif and boo-hoo).

4) I've been advised to go to the demo in Portland this weekend but I can't make it, how often are these events held and is there a magic list somewhere that has them all. Any between Salem and PC.

If you miss the organized demos, a lot of the kayak shops will do a one-on-one demo with you.  Take advantage of it.  And try as many as you can.  Don't rush.

5) would it be foolish to blindly buy a cheap one (like from Costco) and use it for a couple years before investing the big bucks on one?

It doesn't make sense to go as cheap as possible.  You'll be happier and have more pennies in your pocket if you buy a used kayak and start there.  Watch Craig's List, yard sales, and the Classifieds section here.  Sometimes there's a real bargain, though they get gobbled-up quickly.  My Hobie was a demo boat and she's had a rough life, but the hull is sound and all the parts work - and I got it at a once-in-a-millennium price.  Before I started to rig it, at least.

6) a lot of my searches keep turning up prowlers and hobies what are some more intro level kayaks to consider.

Ocean Kayak Tridents and Wilderness System Tarpons - both are paddle kayaks - are very good fishing platforms, reasonably priced when new and budget-friendly used.  There are a lot of good kayaks that don't carry a famous name that are good introductory boats.

One word of caution: I'm seeing a lot of new members who've never been in a kayak before who are in a lather to go to sea.  Don't be.  Kayaks are fickle mistresses and the sea is the most unforgiving water there is.  Take your time.

Says I'm not authorized?!?!?

Some stuff you can't access here till you have been a contributing member for a bit, keeps the lurkers from staying lurkers. Doryman might imply you live on the coast or at least get there often? I live in Garibaldi and have two boats a native mariner propel older one and a Jackson Big Tuna (paddle) hit me up with your availability and we can play in the Tillamook bay to see if either suits you and if kayaking is your "can of beer" I don't do tea or cups!

3) I plan to target mostly rockfish, ling, and halibut. Salmon aren't a priority to me. what is your preferred method to land large strong toothy fish from a kayak? We've always used a combination of spearguns, gaffs and hand guns but I don't see that as a viable option from a kayak. But I could be wrong, what do you use and why?

Check out the “Halibut Harpoon Technique” thread at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7725.msg82500#msg82500 , which is a long, entertaining and educational thread with some good video.  Also check out “Hook or harpoon for halibut” at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12304.msg136089#msg136089 .  I posted a description of a halibut harpoon I made at http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=15254.msg165521#msg165521 .  But you need to check the fishing regulations for the area in which you are fishing to see if use of a harpoon, gaff, or hook is permitted.

With regard to the paddle versus pedal issue: I don't use a pedal kayak in a river unless the water is reliably and consistently more than 3 feet deep, because if you use a pedal kayak in shallow moving water, sooner or later, and probably sooner, you're going to hit the drive on the bottom and damage it.

Says I'm not authorized?!?!?

Maybe I pasted the link with something weird in it.
Try going to the yak hunting forum then read the thread Elk 2015 by kayak.. Or search that.

Welcome Doryman.  If you have a wetsuit or a drysuit, I'm sure you can find someone here to loan you a kayak and show you the ropes.

-Mark-